I am sure the pitchers are getting a little scared of him so walks don't suprise me.

Allen and Chris Carter were always talked about in low A-ball as having nice power potential. It's good to see Allen doing it at a pitcher's park in AA.

But of course, doing it at the major league level is a whole nother story. So I was wundering if anyone has seen him play on extended basis who could provide some insight into his tools/projectability.

But now they're talking about keeping it at 11 pitchers until Sept. callups. I find that hard to believe the way Ozzie burns through pitchers every game.

Rodriguez or Link would be my choices for callup. And I would like to see 12 pitchers. They can send down Fields to make room.

That has to be just talk. I don't know how they can make it a month with just 11 pitchers, especially considering that (1) Linebrink is out and is as productive as two relievers, (2) Contreras, if he comes back healthy, should still be limited a bit to keep him fresh, (3) Gavin and Johnny Danks should be limited, (4) Richard and Wassie don't have much big league experience, and (5) Carrasco hasn't pitched regularly in the bigs since 2005.

I'd send Wise down now, call up Link or Rodriguez, then when Crede comes back - which should be very soon - you send down Fields. Keep Richard on the roster as added insurance until Contreras has to be activated for his next start, then send him down. At the end of the month, cut Dewon Day to make some room on the 40-man to add Getz or Bourgeois and whichever one of Link/Rodriguez hasn't been used. Call up Owens as a pinch runner, Richard as another lefty in the pen, and leave the rest down as they wouldn't need to be used anyway.

That has to be just talk. I don't know how they can make it a month with just 11 pitchers, especially considering that (1) Linebrink is out and is as productive as two relievers, (2) Contreras, if he comes back healthy, should still be limited a bit to keep him fresh, (3) Gavin and Johnny Danks should be limited, (4) Richard and Wassie don't have much big league experience, and (5) Carrasco hasn't pitched regularly in the bigs since 2005.

I'd send Wise down now, call up Link or Rodriguez, then when Crede comes back - which should be very soon - you send down Fields. Keep Richard on the roster as added insurance until Contreras has to be activated for his next start, then send him down. At the end of the month, cut Dewon Day to make some room on the 40-man to add Getz or Bourgeois and whichever one of Link/Rodriguez hasn't been used. Call up Owens as a pinch runner, Richard as another lefty in the pen, and leave the rest down as they wouldn't need to be used anyway.

I'd keep Richard as the first lefty out of the pen when Contreras comes back and send down Boone Logan.

I'd keep Richard as the first lefty out of the pen when Contreras comes back and send down Boone Logan.

That actually wouldn't be a bad idea, especially if you can do it ASAP to allow Logan to get some good work in before Charlotte's season ends. See if he can get back on track down there, because if he can the first half Boone Logan would be a great addition to the bullpen.

I'd also seriously consider Aaron Poreda as a lefty specialist. An arm like his that no one has seen before could be a dominant weapon in a playoff run. I don't like his chances as a starter at all but I think he could be a second Matt Thornton, and whereas over a full season he'd be certain to come upon struggles facing major league hitters, I love the idea of bringing up a young guy that hitters have never seen before and making the best of the early advantage Poreda is going to have over lefties (assuming he can throw strikes).

Edit: The only reason I kind of want to see Richard go down is because I like his potential as a starter, and if he's not going to be used much in Chicago I'd like him to build upon his success this year with a couple more starts in Triple A. Assuming Contreras is dealt, which he very well could be if he comes back strong, Richard has to be the favorite as the '09 5th starter if we don't pick anyone else up. With Egbert's first half struggles coming back from arm issues and Broadway's complete disappearance, Clayton seems to have vaulted up the charts to become our best SP prospect in the high minors.

That actually wouldn't be a bad idea, especially if you can do it ASAP to allow Logan to get some good work in before Charlotte's season ends. See if he can get back on track down there, because if he can the first half Boone Logan would be a great addition to the bullpen.

I'd also seriously consider Aaron Poreda as a lefty specialist. An arm like his that no one has seen before could be a dominant weapon in a playoff run. I don't like his chances as a starter at all but I think he could be a second Matt Thornton, and whereas over a full season he'd be certain to come upon struggles facing major league hitters, I love the idea of bringing up a young guy that hitters have never seen before and making the best of the early advantage Poreda is going to have over lefties (assuming he can throw strikes).

Edit: The only reason I kind of want to see Richard go down is because I like his potential as a starter, and if he's not going to be used much in Chicago I'd like him to build upon his success this year with a couple more starts in Triple A. Assuming Contreras is dealt, which he very well could be if he comes back strong, Richard has to be the favorite as the '09 5th starter if we don't pick anyone else up. With Egbert's first half struggles coming back from arm issues and Broadway's complete disappearance, Clayton seems to have vaulted up the charts to become our best SP prospect in the high minors.

I like Poreda, too, and think he has one of the better arms in the system, but also have doubts if he can be a starter. He seems to last 5 or 6 innings the most in the minors. He may eventually be in the bullpen, especially if he can't develop a secondary pitch.

Maybe that is why he should stay in the minors another year or two: to work on his other pitches.

I don't know if aside from Richard they have any other starter prospects in the system for next year. They do have a number of relievers I like, like Link and Rodriguez, and they may be able to help in 2009.